Disclosure: Some links on Bedroom Serenity Lab are affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our picks. Each mattress below is labeled hands-on (we slept on it) or researched (based on specs, published data, and owner feedback). Here’s how we test. This guide is general information, not medical advice.
Here’s the thing about sleeping on your side: you’re putting most of your weight on two pretty bony spots, your shoulder and your hip. If the mattress pushes back too hard, you wake up with a numb arm and a sore hip. If it’s too soft, your hips sink, your spine bends like a banana, and your lower back lets you know about it by 7 a.m.
So the best mattress for side sleepers isn’t just the softest one. It’s a bed that lets your shoulder and hip sink in just enough while keeping your waist and lower back supported. Below are our picks from the mattresses we’ve already reviewed, plus a quick guide to firmness, mattress types, and what to do if you’re a side sleeper who also sleeps hot. (Hi, Inland Empire.)
Quick picks: best mattresses for side sleepers
| Mattress | Best for | Type | How we reviewed it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purple | Side sleepers who sleep hot | Polymer grid (foam or hybrid) | Hands-on |
| Saatva Classic (Plush Soft) | Side sleepers who want a classic innerspring feel | Coil-on-coil hybrid | Researched |
| Casper | Side and combination sleepers, couples | Zoned foam | Researched |
| Nectar | Memory foam fans on a budget | Memory foam | Researched |
| Avocado Green | Organic and latex shoppers | Latex hybrid | Hands-on |
| DreamCloud | Hotel-style feel and edge support | Euro-top hybrid | Hands-on |
Prices change all the time, so check the brand’s site for current pricing. We update this page as we review more beds.
How we picked
We only include a mattress here once it has its own full review on our site. Every bed gets scored on the same four things: support, comfort, temperature, and durability. For side sleepers, comfort (pressure relief at the shoulder and hip) and support (keeping the spine straight) count the most.
To be upfront: most picks here are researched, not personally tested. Purple Original, DreamCloud and Avocado are the three we’ve slept on. When a pick is researched, we say so. We will never pretend otherwise.
The picks, up close
1. Purple: best for side sleepers who sleep hot Hands-on
Purple’s GelFlex Grid is the reason it shows up on almost every side sleeper list. Rather than hugging you like dense memory foam, the grid buckles under your shoulder and hip and stays firmer under your waist. Because it’s an open grid, air can move through it, which is a big deal if your bedroom still feels like 80 degrees at midnight in August.
2. Saatva Classic (Plush Soft): best innerspring feel for side sleepers Researched
The Saatva Classic comes in three firmness levels: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. That matters more than people think. Side sleepers who want more give usually look at Plush Soft. Side-and-back combo sleepers often land on Luxury Firm. Its coil-on-coil build gives you that springy, sleep-on-top feel, with a zoned lumbar layer for support. It also has a 365-night home trial.
3. Casper: best for side and combination sleepers Researched
Casper uses zoned support: softer foam under the shoulders, firmer foam under the lower back. That’s exactly the setup most side sleepers are looking for. The all-foam build also soaks up motion, so your partner’s 2 a.m. bathroom trip won’t feel like a small earthquake.
4. Nectar: best memory foam mattress for side sleepers on a budget Researched
If you want that classic memory foam hug, the kind where your shoulder sinks in and stays put, Nectar is a popular value option. Foam contours closely around pressure points, which is why many side sleepers like it.
5. Avocado Green: best organic and latex option Hands-on
Avocado is one of the two beds on this list we’ve actually slept on. It’s made right here in California with certified organic latex, wool, and cotton. Latex is bouncier than memory foam and doesn’t trap as much heat, so it suits side sleepers who want pressure relief without the “sinking” feeling. Avocado also sells a pillow-top version, which is worth a look if you want a softer surface on your side.
6. DreamCloud: best hotel-style hybrid Hands-on
DreamCloud is the other bed here we’ve slept on. It’s a hybrid with individually wrapped coils and a quilted euro-top. Think “nice hotel bed” energy at a regular-person price. The coil perimeter gives you solid edge support, which helps if you share the bed and end up near the edge.
What type of mattress is best for side sleepers?
There’s no single winner. It depends on how you like a bed to feel and how warm you run. Here’s the short version:
- Hybrid: Coils plus comfort layers. Hybrids are often the sweet spot for side sleepers because you get pressure relief on top and support plus airflow underneath. The best hybrid mattresses for side sleepers usually have a thicker comfort layer.
- Memory foam: The best contouring and the classic “hug.” It’s great for pressure points, but it can sleep warm and make it harder to change positions.
- Latex: Responsive, durable, and usually cooler than memory foam. A good latex mattress for side sleepers often has a softer top layer or a pillow top.
- Pillow top or euro-top: An extra cushy layer sewn on top. It’s a nice option if you like a traditional bed but need more give at the shoulder.
- Traditional innerspring: Usually the least friendly for side sleepers unless it has a thick comfort layer.
Want the deeper comparison? Read hybrid vs memory foam.
Best mattress firmness for side sleepers
Most side sleepers do best somewhere between medium-soft and medium. Your body weight shifts that a bit:
- Lighter sleepers (under about 130 lb): often prefer soft to medium-soft. “Medium” can feel firmer than you’d expect, because you don’t press into the comfort layers as much.
- Average weight (about 130 to 230 lb): medium-soft to medium is the usual sweet spot.
- Heavier sleepers (over about 230 lb): often need medium to medium-firm, plus stronger coils, so the hips don’t sink too far. See our guide for heavier sleepers.
Try the 10-minute side test. Lie on your side in your normal position for 10 minutes. Then have someone look at your back, or snap a photo. Your spine should look roughly straight from neck to hips. If your hips dip, the bed is too soft. If your shoulder feels jammed and your waist floats, it’s too firm.
Side sleepers with shoulder or hip pain
Lots of people search for the best mattress for side sleepers with shoulder and hip pain, and it makes sense. Those are the two pressure points that take the hit. A mattress can’t fix an injury, and if you have ongoing pain, it’s worth seeing a doctor or physical therapist. But many side sleepers find these things help with comfort:
- A comfort layer that lets the shoulder sink in, like zoned foam, a grid, or a pillow top
- Firmer support under the waist and lower back, so your spine doesn’t sag
- A pillow that’s tall enough to fill the gap between your ear and the mattress. Here’s our pillow guide by sleep position.
- A pillow between your knees to keep your hips level
Side and back sleepers, side and stomach sleepers
Most of us don’t stay in one position all night. If you’re a side and back sleeper, a medium feel with good lumbar support usually works for both. The Saatva Classic in Luxury Firm and Casper’s zoned design are good places to start. If you’re a side and stomach sleeper, lean toward the firmer side of medium, because a soft bed can let your hips sink when you roll onto your stomach. Not sure which camp you’re in? Our sleep-position guide walks you through it.
Hot side sleeper in California? Read this
Side sleepers sink deeper into a mattress than back sleepers do, so more of your body touches the surface, and more heat stays trapped. That matters if you live in the Valley, the Inland Empire, or anywhere the nights stay warm.
- SoCal and inland heat: look at hybrids, latex, or Purple’s grid before dense memory foam. Pair it with breathable sheets. Here are our cooling sheets picks.
- Bay Area and the coast: foggy, cool nights mean a cozier foam bed can work fine. Layer your bedding so you can adjust.
- Still not sure? Our cooling mattress guide goes deeper.
Not ready for a new mattress? Try a topper
If your mattress is still in good shape but feels too firm on your side, a 2 to 3 inch topper can be a much cheaper fix. Just don’t stack two thin toppers, because that often creates a “hammock” that’s worse for your back. See our best mattress topper for side sleepers guide.
Shopping Black Friday?
Grab our free one-page California Mattress Buying Scorecard and compare up to three beds on support, comfort, temperature, and durability before you check out.
See our Black Friday guideFAQ
What is the best mattress for side sleepers?
It depends on your weight, budget, and whether you sleep hot. From the beds we’ve reviewed, Purple is our pick for hot side sleepers, Saatva Classic Plush Soft for an innerspring feel, and Casper for side and combination sleepers.
Should side sleepers get a soft or firm mattress?
Most side sleepers do best with medium-soft to medium. Very firm beds can put pressure on the shoulder and hip. Very soft beds can let the hips sink too far. Heavier side sleepers often need a bit more firmness.
Is a firm mattress bad for side sleepers?
Not always, but it’s usually not the first choice. If you prefer a firm bed or you’re heavier, a firm mattress with a softer comfort layer or a topper can work.
Is memory foam or hybrid better for side sleepers?
Memory foam gives the closest contouring. Hybrids give more airflow and bounce. If you sleep hot, many people find a hybrid or latex bed more comfortable.
What do Reddit users say about mattresses for side sleepers?
Common advice on forums like r/Mattress is to focus on firmness and your own body weight rather than brand names, avoid stacking toppers, and use the home trial. We agree with all three.
Last updated October 2026. We review our picks regularly and update labels when we test a mattress hands-on. Read our editorial policy and advertising disclosure.
Leave a Reply